Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 10, 2026
Author Spotlight: Advantages of Pressure-Volume Loop Measurement Method in Cardiovascular Research
Published on: January 12, 2024
Third ventricle volume and psychometric alterations in patients with alcohol usage
Jenna Lee1,2, Michelle A Patriquin3, Ramiro Salas1,4,5,6
1The Menninger Clinic, Houston, Texas, USA.
Background And Objectives:
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is one of the deadliest psychiatric conditions. Previous studies indicate that AUD is linked to several neurological biomarkers in the human brain; however, how alcohol use manifests in brain volumes and the relationships between the subcortical brain regions affected by AUD and clinical outcomes are not fully understood. This study attempts to compare subcortical brain volume differences between patients with AUD and healthy controls (HC) to understand how alcohol use relates to brain volume changes.
Methods:
Patients with AUD, as determined by alcohol dependence and abuse criteria from the DSM-IV, (n = 71) were recruited and matched with HC (n = 71) by demographic characteristics. We examined group differences in the volumes of 40 bilateral subcortical structures between patients with AUD and HC. We assessed the relationship between changes in subcortical brain volumes and common co-occurring psychiatric symptoms.
Results:
Our results revealed a significant increase of third ventricle volume in patients with AUD compared to HC. Moreover, we also found a positive correlation between the third ventricle volume and generalized anxiety in patients with AUD.
Discussion And Conclusions:
Our findings indicate significant enlargement of the third ventricle volume in patients with AUD, as well as relatedness between the volume of this area and generalized anxiety.
Scientific Significance:
This study is the first in the literature to find volume alterations correlated with clinical outcomes among AUD patients, reflecting a complex relationship between brain volumes and psychological symptoms in this population.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Alterations in Respiration II
In Biot's breathing, the respiratory rate and depth are irregular, alternating between periods of deep gasping and apnea. Common causes...
01:18Anatomy of the Brain: Ventricles
01:06Altered States of Awareness
The ingestion of substances like stimulants or hallucinogens leads to chemical alterations in the brain...
02:37Oxidation of Alcohols
The process of oxidation in a chemical reaction is observed in any of the three forms:
01:30Alterations in Blood Pressure
Hypertension (High blood pressure)
Hypertension occurs when blood pressure readings consistently exceed the normal range. It is diagnosed when systolic blood pressure (the top number, indicating pressure while the heart...
02:29Ethers from Alcohols: Alcohol Dehydration and Williamson Ether Synthesis
Ethers can be prepared from organic compounds by various methods. Some of them are discussed below,
Preparation of Ethers by Alcohol Dehydration
In this method, in the presence of protic acids, alcohol dehydrates to produce alkenes and ethers under different conditions. For example, in the presence of sulphuric acid, dehydration of ethanol at 413 K yields ethoxyethane, whereas it yields ethene at 443 K.